During the past week, hundreds (possibly thousands) of Palestinians in Gaza have engaged in several public protests against Hamas. The protesters’ slogans make clear their anti-Hamas intent.

This fascinating development has sparked Rashomon-like interpretations by different actors in the ongoing conflict.

Some Israeli reactions were callous and bizarre. The dominant Israeli view justifying the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza has been: “they are all Hamas,” or “they are human animals.”

For Israeli government hardliners like the top military commander, the demonstrations aren’t evidence that their assessment was wrong, but show that the renewed bombings and denial of aid into Gaza are working and should be increased until Hamas is defeated and Palestinians agree to permanently leave Gaza.

Other Israeli commentators celebrating the protests failed to recognize that these demonstrations are anti-Hamas, but neither pro-Israel nor indications that Palestinian will surrender their national rights.

Some Palestinians have also failed to understand these protests. A few have dismissed them as instigated by Fatah rivals or unnamed “Arab capitals.” Others have accused the demonstrators of being collaborators who will weaken the “resistance.”

Some American and Israeli voices, seeing the protests as a positive sign and attempting to be supportive, called on their governments to publicly embrace and/or support the demonstrators—though their governments have no credibility in this regard.

These varying interpretations of the anti-Hamas demonstrations all miss the mark.

First, Palestinians in Gaza have long felt negatively toward Hamas. The Israelis justified wholesale bombing of Gaza with the outrageously false claim that “Palestinians overwhelmingly voted for Hamas in 2006.”

In fact, Hamas didn't win a majority and was elected only because Fatah ran competing slates. The US’s last-minute financial support of Fatah also contributed to the victory of Hamas, which adopted the slogan “the Americans want Fatah, the people want Hamas.” Given Palestinian anger toward American policy, a US embrace of Fatah was the kiss of death.

Our last decade of polling in Gaza demonstrates declining favorability of Hamas. In early 2023 fewer than one in four viewed the group positively, and in late 2024 fewer than one in 10 did. Gazans’ support for Fatah has consistently surpassed support for Hamas. Our polling also shows definitive rejection of Hamas’ behaviors on October 7th. Eight in 10 Gazans said Hamas, Israel and the US each bear responsibility for the war that followed October 7th.

Anti-Hamas and pro-Fatah sentiment is nothing new in Gaza. Therefore, even if Fatah elements helped mobilize the recent protests, it makes them no less credible expressions of dissent.

Other Israeli and American reactions to the protests require correction. The month-old blockade of food and medical supplies and renewed bombing of Gaza’s people may have prompted the demonstrations. But the Israeli hardliners’ positive view that this indicates their genocidal policies should continue is sadistic and politically meritless.

The “moderates’” view that these protests should be encouraged as they will lead to Hamas’ removal is delusional. Neither Americans nor Israelis can play any productive role in this regard.

Consider that Netanyahu needs this war to continue to save his political rule. He rejects the Arab peace plan not because of concern with Hamas but because he opposes Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas is a useful foil that allows his war’s continuation. Clearly, his goal is genocide and the reoccupation of Gaza, and he’s had—and continues to have—US support.

That said, a few points. Yes, Hamas must step down. Their tactics have always been irresponsible, deplorable, and designed to sabotage peacemaking efforts. That’s why Netanyahu long supported Hamas, while punishing and weakening the Palestinian Authority’s legitimacy. He didn’t want to negotiate an agreement with the PA, nor see any move toward Palestinian statehood.

Second, the PA requires fundamental reform, and efforts to seek a new unified and credible Palestinian leadership are needed.

If Americans, Arabs, and others wanted to end this conflict, they’d pressure not Hamas and Palestinians, but Israel and its leadership; demand an end to the Netanyahu government’s genocidal and annexationist policies; and demand an end to occupation and support the Arab peace plan.

As for Hamas, Palestinians working in concert with Egypt and other Arab states should determine its role. If the combined pressure from the world community can open the door to ending the conflict in Gaza, begin reconstruction, and force an end to Israel’s assault on the West Bank and East Jerusalem, then some hope in peace can be restored.

Bringing the benefits of peace to the long-beleaguered Palestinian people will weaken Hamas. This, not genocide, is the way forward.